What are the Types and Degrees of Burn Injuries?

Posted By The Stewart Law Firm, PLLC || 2-Jan-2019

What are the Types and Degrees of Burn Injuries?

Burn injuries are more common than people think, especially when you consider
the most minor of burns can include sunburns or small thermal burns. However,
there are various different types of burns and degrees that are determined
by the severity of the injury.

Types of Burn Injuries

These are the different types of burns that someone may experience and
the ways that they can be caused.

Friction burns: These types of burns are more likely to occur when someone
is involved in a bike or motorcycle accident. They are the result of abrasion
and heat burn when a hard object takes off some of your skin. Carpet burn
can also be included under this type.

Radiation burns: These are typically from radiation sources including X-rays
or other types of radiation treatment. However, the most common form of
radiation burns come from the sun.

Thermal burns: These occur when an individual’s skin comes in contact
with a very hot object including hot dishes, scalding liquids, and flames.
Really hot steam can also cause a thermal burn.

Chemical burns: Some individuals work in industries where acids, solvents,
and other chemicals may be present. This can cause a serious burn to individuals
when they are exposed to the chemicals.

Electrical burns: When someone makes contact with a bad electrical outlet
or exposed wires, the shock can cause an electrical burn.

How Serious are Burn Injuries?

Typically, burns are diagnosed between first and third-degree burns, with
a fourth-degree burn being extremely rare. However, these degrees of burns
are determined by the severity of the burn and the symptoms.

First-degree burns result in some redness and pain to the outer layer of
skin. Second-degree burns can impact the outer layer of skin and the layer
underneath it, causing bright red and swollen skin. Blisters may also
be present.

Third-degree burns are full thickness burns and can harm both layers of
skin and damage to the nerve endings. For fourth-degree burns, these are
possibly life-threatening, destroying all skin layers and can cause harm
to the bones, tendons, and muscles.